While ASF is currently getting all the attention, are other infectious agents could have similar economic effects and cripple the U.S. pork industry and exports, writes Attila Farkas, DVM. She discusses other diseases that have potential to hurt swine production in the U.S. Source: National Hog Farmer, May 28, 2019. Link. In modern day swine production, free trade … [Read more...]
Sponsored Content – Pet Anxiety Awareness Campaign kicks off June 2nd
Kristen Levine began a campaign three years ago to raise awareness about the need to recognize the symptoms of fear, anxiety and stress (FAS) in dogs and cats. She wants to encourage pet parents to speak to their veterinarians about how to get their pets relief. An estimated 50% of dogs and cats suffer from FAS Source: Cision, May 21, 2019. Link. Each week in June one of the … [Read more...]
AAFP releases diabetes educational toolkit
Effective management and treatment of feline diabetes is based on a combination of patient goals, finances, implementation of a treatment plan and the patient’s response. A strong partnership between the veterinarian and the cat caregiver is key to achieve optimal results. To help veterinarians and cat owners better understand and manage diabetic cats, the AAFP has released … [Read more...]
Top 3 most common pet insurance claims from 5 providers
ASPCA Pet Insurance, Embrace, Nationwide, Pets Best and Trupanion shared their top three most common claims of 2018 with Veterinary Economics. For veterinary teams, these lists represent opportunities for discussion and consensus around treatment, products and preparations. Salespersons can use these lists as a backdrop for pre-call planning and product … [Read more...]
Cheat sheet helps when considering new equipment
It’s easy to get caught up financially analyzing an equipment buy for a veterinary hospital. Brendan Howard summarizes guidance from Karen Felstad, DVM, about various rationales for purchases. For salespersons, Felstad’s nine questions to ask before an equipment purchase reads like a pre-call planner for items to discuss or defend. Source: Veterinary Economics, May 17, … [Read more...]
Choose your mentor carefully
Having a mentor can be the catalyst for enriching career development in nearly every industry. Mentors not only bestow real-life lessons and skills upon their mentees, but also open doors to professional networks, facilitating connections to other professionals who can help shape career success. So look for these characteristics when choosing your mentor. Source: Forbes, May … [Read more...]
Amazon is primed for growth (includes podcast)
With 100 million Amazon Prime customers globally, the company continues to grow and grow. It has entered market segments we never imagined and now owns 49 percent or more of all online sales. Professor Sunil Gupta and Host Brian Kenny discuss a case study Gupta researched and offer insights into Amazon’s insidious growth. Source: HBR Working Knowledge, May 21, 2019. … [Read more...]
Changes in middle class affect business growth
Animal health pros often examine local population economics. Pavithra Mohan reviews the history of the middle class and how the definition of it and expectations of those in it have changed and will continue to do so.. In 2019, the prevailing feeling among the self-anointed middle class may be a lack of financial security and job stability, but also a narrowing path to upward … [Read more...]
Opinion – Getting work done while dealing with being human, part 2
Last week, we started a series about getting work done. Beyond all the advice, processes and systems is a human element that is challenged by our VUCA (volatility, uncertainty, complexity, ambiguity) world. Any mom or dad can find meeting parenting demands often seems in direct conflict with raising kids. On the other end of too busy is not busy enough. As you’ll see, there are … [Read more...]
EQUUS pop quiz: horse terms
Revisit horse-related terms and information with SAT-style analogy questions. It’s a fun way to be sure your knowledge of terms is current and where you have gaps. Have fun! Source: EQUUS, May 3, 2019. Link. … [Read more...]
Horse sense required for barefoot trimming
David Ramey, DVM, tackles the barefoot trimming fad where horses have shoes removed and hooves trimmed to run barefoot. He says some proponents of barefoot trimming sometimes take a fanatical leap and may assert that shoes for horses are never a good thing, and that they always cause harm. Ramey disagrees for three big reasons: The stated assumption that “barefoot is … [Read more...]
Calf rescued from badger hole (includes ‘feel-good’ video)
In what he calls the most bizarre incident in his career, Brad Osadczuk, an Alberta, Canada, rancher rescued a calf that had fallen into a badger hole. The cow kept telling him something was wrong. Source: Drovers, May 21, 2019. Link. “She kept on going back to this spot. When you walk up, you couldn’t see anything. It just was prairie grass. I happened to walk up to a … [Read more...]
Get serious about kidding time
Goat popularity continues to rise. As people learn to raise them, it is inevitable they will experience kidding time. Durvet’s Kassie Miller assembled a goat kidding kit to help prepare for that magical phase. This is a good list to help goat raisers be prepared. Source: Durvet. Link. Advanced prepping and quick access ensures access will ensure you will have all the tools … [Read more...]
Backyard chickens have caused 21-state salmonella outbreaks
Fifty-two people in 21 states have contracted salmonella from backyard poultry according to the CDC. Five patients have been hospitalized and 28 percent of those sickened by these home-based chicks and ducklings are children under age 5. Don’t kiss your chickens! < link > Source: USA Today, May 17, 2019. Link. Epidemiologic and laboratory evidence indicate that contact … [Read more...]
Microbiome; it’s a bug eat bug world
“The microbiome is a collection of different microorganisms that we find in the intestinal tract of animals, and we know these microorganisms are essential to immune development,” says Christopher Chase, DVM. “Understanding how they interact with the gut, and particularly the epithelium of the gut, is really important.” In the last decade, research has shown the epithelial … [Read more...]
5 quota-killing mistakes only experienced salespeople make
Jeff Hoffman gives perspective about seasoned salespersons and offers steps that can help avoid making common errors. He lists these five mistakes he has observed with seasoned reps: They over-qualify They lean too heavily on existing champions They stop learning They haven't networked within their company They ignore the importance of small … [Read more...]
Opinion – Get truly curious about the customer
Customers recognize selective listening and when we aren’t asking the right questions or probing to understand what’s really happening and learning what it means to them personally or professionally, according to David Brock. They’re often looking look for our help but find us unwilling to take the time to understand their markets, their business, their strategies . . . their … [Read more...]
Opinion – FREE, one-day shipping is an oxymoron
Amazon recently announced it will spend $800M to bring free, one-day shipping to Prime members. This is an indictment of our increasing inability to plan past our noses. Distribution companies have been fighting this costly next-day fight for years, often without directly assessing the increased costs to customers who require the service. Failure to plan is simply a plan to … [Read more...]
Texas Tech vet school off and running
The Texas Tech University School of Veterinary Medicine is a big step closer to reality as of last Friday. The Texas Legislature’s Conference Committee for the state budget voted to include $17.4 million to establish the school at Texas Tech in Amarillo. The budget is now on its way the House and Senate before getting Governor Greg Abbott’s signature. Source: Lubbock … [Read more...]
If you are approached by a service dog without its owner, it may need your help
Ashley Brewer shares what to do if a service dog approaches you without its owner. In all likelihood, the owner needs help. Share this article using social media, e-newsletters and texts. Knowing how to engage the animal to help you find its owner is important because it is different than how we’ve been trained. Source: Animal Planet, May 9, 2019. Link. . . . any verbal cue … [Read more...]
50 ways dogs communicate with their people
The position your dog sleeps in means something, writes Inno Asuncion. He shares 50 more common dog behaviors explained in human terms. This is fun to share on social media, in e-newsletters or as part of a follow-up message after initial clinic or retail visits. Source: Animal Planet, August 21, 2018. Link. … [Read more...]
New AVMA website provides resources for veterinary students, early professionals
The AVMA recently launched a new website to help guide veterinary students and early career veterinarians. My Veterinary Life < link > is intended to help navigate the transition from student to veterinarian, nurture personal wellbeing, and establish strong financial habits. Source: AVMA. Link. The website represents AVMA’s commitment to provide guidance, direction and … [Read more...]
Top 10 ways to lead by example
Joel Dickerson started working with Petroleum Service Corporation loading railcars. Now president, he leads the firm that serves petrochemical, refining, midstream and marine transportation industries. He recently shared his Leadership Top 10 during the company’s awards banquet. It is a list worth studying because he developed it from real-life experiences, not a … [Read more...]
Compassionate, directness are transformative when combined
We define it (compassionate directness) as empowering employees to speak up, give feedback, disagree, and surface problems, pain points and constructive criticism. And to do this immediately, continuously, and with clarity, but also to do it with compassion, empathy and understanding. Source: LinkedIn Pulse, May 9, 2019. Link. According to a poll from H.R. management … [Read more...]
Lifetime value of clients helps determine marketing spend
What is the most you can spend to acquire a new client for your veterinary practice and still be profitable? If you do not know, you're not alone. I developed a formula that helps determine what you can afford to pay to gain a new client based on its lifetime value of to your practice. Calculate your number to eliminate any marketing efforts that aren't profitable. Source: … [Read more...]
Canine parvovirus spiking again
Recent reports of canine parvovirus (CPV) infections in areas around the country remind us of how prevalent and challenging this virus is in dogs. CPV itself is small and nonenveloped, making it one of the more robust viruses affecting animals. While our industry has been fighting CPV for nearly 50 years, the only way to stop its spread is to vaccinate dogs. Because of its … [Read more...]
Thunder, firecrackers and more loud sounds
Spring storms have been frequent and loud this year in the Midwest. Add graduation celebrations with fireworks and it’s a noise-averse dog’s nightmare. Bonnie Beaver, DVM, shares strategies for managing sound sensitivity in dogs. The information is an excellent reference to share with dog owners frequently. Studies have suggested that nearly 49% of dogs are reported by … [Read more...]
Collegiate meat judging featured by Sports Illustrated
Comparing the core components to NCAA athletics, Mike Piellucci goes in-depth into the recruitment, rivalries, commitment, competitions and impact of this intercollegiate meat judging. The skill set of a champion meat judge is both eminently teachable and difficult to master: quick decision making, critical reasoning, self-assurance and, above all, the ability to quiet one’s … [Read more...]
May is National Beef Month
There’s plenty to appreciate when it comes to beef. It’s in the hamburger you cook on your grill, the gelatin that makes up the marshmallow you roast, the gum you chew, the medicines you take, the soap you wash with and in many other products. Beef and its by-products have an immense impact on our society and around the world. Source: Kansas Farm Food Connection. Link. . . . … [Read more...]
Opinion – Getting work done while dealing with being human, part 1
There are myriad recommendations for improving our work productivity. For some, it is just hard to get through the day without dealing with yet another system. So instead of highlighting another way to get it done, I’ll present articles in the coming weeks that include human stuff, such as being overwhelmed, being a working mother, slow times and rapid changes, and a good … [Read more...]